To start off, Chicano theatre is drama made by and for people of Mexican descent. Plays would be in English Spanish or a combination of both. These plays focus on the issues that come with adjusting to a white english speaking country. These issues include racial prejudice, unemployment, drug abuse, education and housing. Current Chicano Theatre is a product of the 1960's civil rights movement. The man credited with creating this theatre is Luis Valdez, the creator of Zoot Suit. This shows that Zoot Suit was one of the first and most important plays for Chicano Theatre. Since it is based around the Zoot Suit riots, the issues faced in the play are based on racial tension. The tension was between the off duty servicemen and the young minority zoot suit wearers. These suits originated from the Harlem Renaissance but the white community looked at it more and more as thuggery. The issues faced in this play by the minority group are very relatable for the whole community in our modern day.
To start off, Chicano theatre is drama made by and for people of Mexican descent. Plays would be in English Spanish or a combination of both. These plays focus on the issues that come with adjusting to a white english speaking country. These issues include racial prejudice, unemployment, drug abuse, education and housing. Current Chicano Theatre is a product of the 1960's civil rights movement. The man credited with creating this theatre is Luis Valdez, the creator of Zoot Suit. This shows that Zoot Suit was one of the first and most important plays for Chicano Theatre. Since it is based around the Zoot Suit riots, the issues faced in the play are based on racial tension. The tension was between the off duty servicemen and the young minority zoot suit wearers. These suits originated from the Harlem Renaissance but the white community looked at it more and more as thuggery. The issues faced in this play by the minority group are very relatable for the whole community in our modern day.